Monday, October 04, 2004

BASEBALL

I have generally refrained form blogging about the Cubs. I can’t control what they do, and some of the things they’ve done this year have been so ridiculous that they don’t merit the space to write about them. However, now that a team with more talent than anyone else in the National League has choked away a playoff spot, I have to do a wrap up.

First, for Cub fans to say that being in the hunt for a playoff spot at the end of September is a failure is laughable. This team was better than that, but as a Cub fan, how can you say with a straight face that the last two years have been disappointing? Take joy in good seasons if you remember the really terrible seasons.

Second, Chip is leaving. He is going to Atlanta. He is leaving and I will no longer have to endure his “fairness” and idiocy. That makes this whole season worth it. I can only imagine being stuck with him and Skip. Oh my God.

Third, Sammy was quoted as saying, "I resent the inference that I'm not prepared. I live my life every minute every day to prepare for combat." Sammy has never spoken an English sentence that complex in his life. "I resent the inference?" Yeah, right. Who are they kidding?

Fourth, Sammy is a baby. He makes over $15 million a year, and complains that he is singled out for criticism when the team underperforms. He needs to be man enough to be a leader and realize that he is not equal in those terms to any of the younger and lower paid guys.

Fifth, Moises Alou should go because he failed to set a good example for the younger guys when he started feuding with the broadcast team. On the other hand, $6 million for a guy who hit .293 with 39 home runs is a pretty good deal, even if he is going to be 39.

Sixth, Nomar Garciaparra is not the future. If he is willing to come for little enough money, he may be worth keeping. Otherwise, I would tell him Khalil Green seems to have locked up the shortstop job in San Diego, so the only SoCal teams available are the Angles and Dodgers. Good luck. Give Mia a squeeze for us.

Seventh, Dusty Baker was quoted as saying, "Yeah, you need on-base percentage guys to put the pitcher in the stretch. I don't agree with going up there looking for a walk unless the game situation dictates it. This isn't Little League. The whole thing boils down to that half of on-base percentage is getting a good pitch to hit. Most of the times when guys are striking out, a bad pitch has been swung at during the course of that at-bat." Good grief. No wonder our offense was struggles. By the way, although they choked this year, the Little League, OBP-driven, walk taking A's have been in the playoffs more years in a row, with half the payroll, than Dusty's teams.

Bright spots: Prior at the end of the year, Wood being healthy again, Zambrano, who is crazy but great, Lee, Ramirez, Patterson, Barrett, complaining about Farnsworth, who may get it together some day, instead of Terry Adams, who will never get it together, and anyone we can get for Sammy.

Wait 'til next year.

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